Jenni Ritzler:
CLASS OF 1978
Alpena High SchoolClass of 1978
Alpena, MI
Central Michigan UniversityClass of 1985
Mt. pleasant, MI
Alpena Community CollegeClass of 1983
Alpena, MI
Jenni's Story
Life
After graduating from Alpena Senior High in 1978, I joined the US Army and was on active duty, serving as a journalist with HHC 8th Infantry Division, G-5/PAO, West Germany. After my honorable discharge in 1981, I returned to Alpena and joined the Michigan Army National Guard, serving as a journalist with HHD 207th Engineer Battalion, Bay City, Mich.
I attended Alpena Community College, earning an Associate Arts degree, cum laude, in 1983. I then transferred to Central Michigan University and graduated cum laude in 1985, with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree, majoring in journalism, with an emphasis in public relations. I also double-minored in broadcasting and cinematic arts, and history.
My first job out of college was as a public relations specialist with the world-wide manufacturing company, Jervis B. Webb Co., based out of Farmington Hills, Mich. I met my husband, (Captain) Roger Johns, while in the Army National Guard. We married in 1988 and moved to Toledo, Ohio.
In 1988, I took a public relations position with Mercy Health Partners in Toledo and remained with that hospital system through 1998. In 1989, I hung up my military uniform as a "buck" sergeant/E-5 after 12 ye...Expand for more
ars of service and several military awards and decorations.
In 1998, I landed a position as the director of communications with Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), an economic development corporation, serving Toledo and northwest Ohio. I stayed with RGP for a year and, "because I was financially able," left that position to spend more time with my family.
Along the way in my career, I did pick up a Michigan real estate license in 1999. In 2002, I took a part-time PR position with the Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. I left the Chapter in 2005 to spend more time with family and friends.
Roger is currently employed with DaimlerChrysler and commutes daily to Detroit for work. I have four step daughters (all grown) and eight grandchildren.
We own a 1999 Harley Davidson Heritage "Softail Classic" motorcycle and take to the road as much as possible. As they say, "we live to ride." We also enjoy traveling and have made several trips to the Hawaiian Islands, Europe, and across the continental US. In addition, I try to make it back to Alpena as much as possible to visit my father, Richard Ritzler, two sisters, Perri Talaska and Paddi LaCross, and various nieces and nephews.
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